Effects of Abrasive Blasting on the Response of MC3T3-E1 Cells

Objective : The aim of this study was to compare the biological effects of titanium surface prepared from two different abrasive materials, Al₂O₃ and glass beads (SiO₂). 

Methods : Commercially pure grade 2 titanium discs were sandblasted with either 50 µm of Al₂O₃ (Dental vision) or SiO₂ (Accord). A polished titanium discs were prepared for control group. The surface roughness and topography after sandblasting were evaluated by profilometry (Talyscan 150, UK, n=10) and scanning electron microscopy, while chemical composition was investigated with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS).  The adhesion and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 on different Ti surface was determined by MTT assay. The expression of osteopontin (OPN) and osteocalcin (OC) at day-7 were examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.  The ability of Ti surface on supporting fibrin formation was evaluated. Data were expressed as mean± standard deviation. Statistical analysis was carried out by one-way ANOVA, follow by Scheffe test at p<0.05.

Results : Showed the comparable roughness values for the surface blasted with Al₂O₃ (Ra=0.2349 µm) and SiO₂ (Ra=0.2145 µm).  However, blasting with Al₂O₃ yielded more wettablity surface. In addition, Al₂O₃ blasted surface support higher amount of fibrin formation after 5 min.  Cells seeded on Al₂O₃ blasted surface also showed significant faster rate of adhesion at 30 min and higher rate of proliferation at day-2 (p<0.05). In this study, the expression of OPN from both blasted groups was comparable. Moreover, OC which is considered as a marker of osteoblast differentiation, indicated that Al₂O₃ blasted surfaces possess higher expression than SiO₂ blasted surfaces.

Conclusion : The Al₂O₃ blasted surface could support the osteoblast adhesion and differentiation better than SiO_2. These results revealed that different sandblast materials could give different surface property leading to different cellular responses and the information should be more concern by the clinician.